Welsh Labour minister Carl Sargeant takes own life days after being suspended over allegations of sexual misconduct

A Welsh Government minister has taken his own life just days after being suspended by the Labour Party in Wales over allegations of sexual misconduct.

Carl Sargeant, a married father of two and minister in the Welsh Assembly, was found dead at his home in Connah's Quay in North Wales after Labour announced the investigation on Friday.

Carwyn Jones, the Welsh First Minister, said that Mr Sargeant was being investigated over a "number of incidents" after women came forward with allegations.

Mr Sargeant, 49, said at the time that he found the allegations "shocking and distressing" and called for an independent investigation "to allow me to clear my name".

A spokesman for North Wales Police said: "At approximately 11.30 today, North Wales Police were called to a report that the body of a man had been found at an address in Connah's Quay. North Wales Police are not treating his death as suspicious and the matter has been referred to HM Coroner."

A family statement said his relatives were "devastated beyond words" at the loss of "the glue that bound us together" while Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, described his death as "terrible and deeply shocking news".

I'm deeply shocked to hear of the terrible news about Carl Sargeant. My thoughts and profound sympathy are with his family and friends.

His family's statement said: "Carl was a much loved husband, father and friend. He wasn't simply a part of our family. He was the glue that bound us together. He was the heart of our family. We loved him so very much.

"He was the most kind and caring husband, father, son and friend. We are devastated beyond words, and we know our grief will be shared by all those who knew and loved him. We are in shock and grief. We ask that our privacy is respected at this time."

A spokeswoman for North Wales Police said: "We are investigating an incident at an address in Connah's Quay. There are no further details available at present. We will provide an update in due course."

In a statement on Friday Mr Sargeant said: "I met with the first minister today and he informed me allegations had been made about my personal conduct, which was shocking and distressing to me.

"The details of the allegations have yet to be disclosed to me. I have written to the General Secretary of Welsh Labour requesting an urgent independent investigation into these allegations in order to allow me to clear my name."

My thoughts and prayers are with Carl Sargeant’s family right now. They have asked for privacy. I hope the media respect their wishes.

Mr Jones said on Monday that he had become "aware of a number of incidents at the beginning of last week".

He said: "I asked my office to speak to those women involved who had provided detail of those incidents. As a result of those conversations, I felt I had no choice but to refer the matter to the party.

"If we have somebody who is in a position where they could embarrass the party or bring the party into disrepute, then action is taken. It's not held in the back pocket to threaten them if they decide they are not going to vote a certain way.

"It's said that that's happened in Westminster. It's never happened to my knowledge in the Bay, ever."